Solve 2x − 1 = 3

The solution of 2x − 1 = 3 is x = 2.

2x - 1 = 3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 2x − 1 and y = 3 meet at x = 2. The solution of the equation is the x-coordinate of the point where the two sides are equal.

How to work it out

1
The goal is to get x alone. Undo the operations in the opposite order: first the subtraction, then the multiplication.
$2x - 1 = 3$
2
Add 1 to both sides:
$2x - 1 + 1 = 3 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 4$
3
Divide both sides by 2:
$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2$
4
Check: put x = 2 back into the equation.
$2\cdot2 - 1 = 4 - 1 = 3 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 2x - 1 = 3\ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 2x - 1 = 3 \]
\[ 2x - 1 + 1 = 3 + 1 \ \Rightarrow\ 2x = 4 \]
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{4}{2} \ \Rightarrow\ x = 2 \]
\[ 2\cdot2 - 1 = 4 - 1 = 3 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = 3

x	2x − 1	Equals 3?
0	-1	no
1	1	no
2	3	yes
3	5	no
4	7	no

Questions

What is x in 2x − 1 = 3?

The solution of 2x − 1 = 3 is x = 2.

How do you solve 2x − 1 = 3?

Add 1 to both sides to get 2x = 4, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = 2.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by 2: 2(2) − 1 = 3, which is 3.

Solve 2x − 1 = 3

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 2x − 1 = 3

Questions

Similar equations